noun
Uncommon
omen
OH-muhn
Omen (noun) means a sign believed to foretell a future event, whether good or bad. Example: “A black cat crossing his path felt like a bad omen.”
noun
1
A sign believed to foretell a future event, whether good or bad.
"A black cat crossing his path felt like a bad omen."
"The villagers took the clear sky as a good omen for the harvest."
How to use omen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sign that something is going to happen, good or bad.
Common pairings
a bad omen
a good omen
an ill omen
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like omen.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- omens
- Third person singular
- omens
- Past tense
- omened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A black cat crossing his path felt like a bad _____.
Etymology
From Latin omen, meaning "foreboding" or "sign."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for omen
See all rhymes for omen →Frequently asked questions
What does “omen” mean?
The word “omen” means a sign believed to foretell a future event, whether good or bad. In plain terms, a sign that something is going to happen, good or bad.
How do you pronounce “omen”?
“Omen” is pronounced OH-muhn (/ˈoʊ̯mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “omen” in a sentence?
Here is “omen” used in a sentence: “A black cat crossing his path felt like a bad omen.”
What is another word for “omen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “omen” include augury, auspice, foreshadowing, foretoken, forewarning and harbinger.
What part of speech is “omen”?
“Omen” is a noun.
Where does the word “omen” come from?
The word “omen” comes from Latin. From Latin omen, meaning "foreboding" or "sign.".
Is “omen” a common word?
“Omen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
